Preparation of alloys from electrolytic manganese



Patented July 27, 1943 PREPARATION OF ALLOYS FROM ELECTROLYTIC MANGANESE John J. McLaughlin, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Development Company, Chicago, Ill.

No Drawing. Application January 5, 1939, Serial No. 249,375

4 8 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of producing alloys from electrolytic manganese. It relates more particularly to the production of alloys of electrolytic manganese with one or moreof the metals copper, iron, nickel, alumi- 30% zinc is employed in the form of a cathode sheet weighing 0.5 lb. per square ioot and on each num and zinc in which manganese is a major constituent.

In the known method of producing alloys from electrolytic manganese, the manganese must be used in small particles which are produced when the metal is broken oil the cathode sheet. In this form, it is diflicult to melt and alloy electrolytic manganese because of its low heat conductivity and ease of oxidation.

In accordance with the present invention, this difliculty is avoided by forming a composite sheet 01' manganese and one or more of the metals with which it is to be alloyed by electroplating the manganese onto a cathode or starting sheet of a metal or alloy. By the adjustment of the composition and thickness of the starting sheet and the thickness of the deposited manganese, a composite sheet may be obtained having the metals in the proportions desired in the final alloy. The entire composite cathode sheet is then melted or sheared into relatively large pieces. This composite sheet melts readily without oxidation because of the relatively small surface ofmanganese exposed to the air and also because the greater heat conductivity of the material in the 30 starting sheet permits more rapid melting. In

the case of induction melting which is preferably employed, the higher electrical conductivity of the material in the starting sheet is also of great importance in speeding up the melting process.

, As an example of the invention, an alloy of manganese with 10% copper is made by the use of a copper cathode 20mins thick. A total 01 180 mills of manganese is 'depositedthereon; Since the densities of copper and electrolytic manga- 4o be adjusted after melting by the addition of cop- 45 per or manganese in the usual way.

In another example, a cathode of substantially pure iron approximately 0.05 inch thick weighing 2.12 lbs. per square foot is employed. On each square foot of cathode surface, there is deposited 50 4.24 lbs. of manganese. n 'meltit1g the composite cathode, a carbon-free, pure ierro manganese containing 80% manganese is obtained.

In another example oi! the invention, a startsquare foot there is deposited 0.25 pound of man- 'ganese. On melting the resulting composite cathode sheet, an alloy of manganese, 35%

copper and 15% zinc is obtained.

It will be clearthat the invention may be employed to produce alloys 01 electrolytic manganese with any metal 'or metals which can be formed into a suitable shape for a cathode to be used in the electrolytic cell. Since, in the known art of making electrolytic manganese, cathode sheets are usually held in a frame, thin sheets may be used. The starting sheets may be clamped/in a metal holder at the top which serves to make a contact with the current source or, more conveniently, the cathode sheets themselves may be provided with suitable bars or lugs to make such contacts. The upper part of the cathode may then be sheared oil so as to meet only the composite sheet or the whole maybe melted and suitable corrections made in the thickness of deposit to give the desired alloy composition.

The alloys prepared in accordance with the invention can, of course, be used as intermediates in the preparation 01. other alloys. The invention also encompasses the use of the composite cathode sheet itself as an ingredient of an alloy to which other substances are added.

These examples make clear the method of practicing the invention which may be applied with advantage to substantially all alloys made from electrolytic manganese.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The process oi. making alloys containing electrolytic manganese which includes the step of forming a composite sheet or the. approximate composition of the alloy desired by electroplating manganese on a metal sheet and melting said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original metal sheet.

2. The process of making alloys containing electrolytic manganese and copper which includes the step of forming a composite sheet by electroplating manganese on a copper cathode and then melting said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original copper cathode.

3. The process oi making alloys containing electrolytic manganese which includes the step of forming a composite sheet by electroplating manganese on a metal sheet, melting said coming sheet of brass containing copper and u posite sheet without separating the. manganese mate thickness of at least several mills, and melt ing said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original metal sheet.

5. The process 0! making alloys containing electrolytic manganese and copper which inganese on a cathode comprising said other alloyeludes the steps oi forming a composite sheet by electroplating manganese on a copper-containing cathode and then melting said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original cathode. Y

assaoes manganese on a metal sheet containingat leasta major percentage of iron, and then melting said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original metal sheet.

7. The process of makingalloys containing electrolytic manganese and at least one other alloying element which includes the steps of forming a composite sheet by electroplating man ing element, and then melting said composite sheet without separating the manganese from the original cathode.

8. The process of making alloys containing electrolytic manganese which includes the steps of forming a composite sheet by electroplating manganese on a thin iron cathode sheet, melting 1 said composite sheet without separating the 6. The process of making'alloys containing electrolytic manganese whichincludes the steps a sired alloying elements.

of forming a composite sheet by electroplating manganese from the original iron cathode sheet, and incorporating therewith any additional de- JOHN J. mcnauomm. 

